Laser Rapier II Operator's Instruction Manual

Brand: Laser

Model: Rapier II

Category: Measuring, testing & control

Type: Operator's Instruction Manual

MOST IMPORTANT- WHEN RETURNING UNIT FOR SERVICE

1. All units returned under warranty must be accompanied by copy of

original dated invoice. Failure to do this will incure repair charges.

2. Please include full details of the fault.

3. Include payment of £8 for return carriage.

4. Send unit to: SERVICE DEPARTMENT: Pentechnic, 1 Grange

Cottages, Penkridge, Staffs ST19 5NH

                        

LIMITED ON (1) YEAR WARRANTY (UK)

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other

rights. TESORO/LASER assures you of the finest electronic equipment and

service. TESORO/LASER warrants that each detector manufactured by it will

be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year.

Should any failure to conform to the foregoing warranty appear within this pe-

riod, TESORO/LASER will, at its option, repair or replace the defective detector

without any charge except any transportation charges. This warranty does not

cover any detector that has been abused, tampered with, or repaired by an

unauthorized party. This warranty applies only to units purchased from AU-

THORIZED UK DEALERS. This warranty excludes batteries, damage caused

by leaking batteries, cable faults due to flexing on body mount units, and wear

of the search coil housing. Complete, detach and mail the portion below within

10 days of purchase in order to activate your warranty. Send the WARRANTY

to : TREASURE WORLD, 192 Albany st. LONDON NW1 4AP.

≫ Cut along this line

MODEL SERIAL No.

DATE

PURCHASER’S NAME

ADDRESS

Where did you first learn of TESORO/LASER products?

What made you decide to buy TESORO/LASER?

Purchased where?

What do you like or dislike about the product?

LASER METAL DETECTORS

192 Albany Street

London, NW1 4AP

Telephone 207-387-3142

OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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What does the factory include with my detector?

See UNPACKING THE BOX on page 6.

How do I put my detector together?

See ASSEMBLING YOUR DETECTOR on pages 8-9.

How do I install a new battery?

See INSTALLING THE BATTERY on page 7.

Is my battery working and when should I change it?

See Performing the Audio Battery test on page 16.

How does my detector work?

See GENERAL DESCRIPTION on page 5.

What features does my detector have?

See Rapier FEATURES on page 24.

What are Discriminate Mode and Pinpoint Mode?

See Selecting the Proper Operating Mode on page 14.

How do I select one of the operating modes?

See Selecting the Proper Operating Mode on page 14.

How do I adjust the discrimination feature?

See DISC LEVEL Control on page 12.

How much discrimination should I use?

See Setting the Discrimination Level on page 15.

How do I adjust the sensitivity feature?

See SENSITIVITY CONTROL on page 11.

How much sensitivity should I use?

See Setting the Sensitivity Level on page 14.

When do I use the MAXBoost feature?

See Setting the Sensitivity Level in MAXBoost on page 15.

Can I adjust the speaker volume?

See Controlling Audio Volume on page 13.

How do I hold and move my detector when using it?

See Handling you detector on page 17.

How do I find the exact location of a metal object?

See Pinpointing a target on page 19.

How do I dig up a buried metal object?

See Recovering a target on Pages 19-21.

What can I do to get better at using my detector?

See Basic Care and Protecting you Investment on pages 22-23.

What is my warranty and where can I get service?

See the back cover

INDEX OF COMMON QUESTIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for purchasing the Laser Rapier. The Rapier was

designed for the user who requires top of the line performance com-

bined with total ease of use.

The Laser Rapier has the power and stability to handle the

most hostile terrain. Its ability to punch through the ground should

satisfy the most demanding operator. Sensitivity to tiny gold, silver &

bronze coins and artifacts should result in more of this class to find.

Take the time to study this manual and familiarize yourself with your

detector and you can look forward to many hours of fruitful searching

in the years to come.

Good Hunting

Frank Mellish

 High Gain Sensitivity Circuitry – designed specifi-

cally to deliver greater depth, sensitivity and stability.

 MAXBoost Feature- extra power of super high gain can

add inches to search depth.

 High-sensitivity Searchcoil- a 9x8 inch spoked,

concentric for broad sweep, good pinpointing and deep ground

penetration.

 Ultra-lightweight-Search longer without fatigue.

 3 piece Knockdown Pole-convenient storage and

travel

 Turn-on-and-go-factory preset for “mineral free” operation.

 Two Operating Modes-Pinpoint and Discriminate.

 QuickCheck PINPOINT-simple push-button pinpointing.

 Easy to Operate-simple controls at your fingertips.

 Silent Search Operation-in Discriminate Mode.

 Economical to Use-up to 20 hours plus on a single battery.

What it doesn’t have

A big, heavy, high-powered speaker. Loud, heavy speakers are popu-

lar with many manufacturers. The “fuller” sound they produce gives

the illusion of greater sensitivity to small and deep targets - a great

showroom sales tool! Most serious detectorists hunt with headphones

and a Rapier will work well with standard headphones. If you choose

not to use headphones, the Rapier speaker will be loud enough for most

environments. It will allow you to hear the small and deep targets

found by the high power circuitry-without excessive battery drain.

A hip mount, arm strap or battery recharging system. These kinds

of “built-in accessories” are simply unnecessary in a Rapier detector.

The power and features of the Laser Rapier make it an ideal detector for

a beginner who wants a machine they will never outgrow. It is also ideal

for the serious detectorist who wants power, performance, simplicity,

and versatility in a single lightweight detector.

LASER RAPIER

OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

strain relief. Inspect the strain relief frequently to make sure it is firmly

attached and intact.

☑ Keep cables properly wound around the pole stems and protect them

during use. Floppy, pinched, or snagged cables may short, causing er-

ratic noises or unnecessary replacement of the searchcoil.

☑ Sweep the searchcoil carefully, especially when using around rocks

and building foundations and avoid hitting the searchcoil against hard,

solid objects and surfaces.

☑ Keep your searchcoil slightly off of the ground during the sweep es-

pecially when using in gravel or hard, rocky dirt.

☑ Always use a properly designed protective scuff cover on the search-

coil.

☑ Remove and clean out scuff covers periodically to avoid buildup of

mineralized dirt particles which will affect performance.

☑ The searchcoil is waterproof and can be submerged in either fresh or

salt water. After the searchcoil is used in salt water, rinse it and the

lower stem assembly well with fresh water to prevent corrosion of the

metal parts.

☑ The searchcoil is waterproof but the electronics are not, so always

prevent any moisture or water from entering the control housing and

never allow the cable connectors to become submerged in water.

☑ If working in or near water, or if there is a possibility of rain, use a pro-

tective weather resistant pouch or plastic bag to cover the control hous-

ing. Make sure it can “breath” in order to ensure against condensation

buildup inside.

☑ After each use, clean the detector with a soft cloth to remove dust,

moisture, or other contaminants.

☑ When transporting the detector in a car during hot weather, store it on

the floor of the passenger compartment if possible. Using a carry bag

gives additional protection. In any case, never allow the detector to

roll around unprotected in the trunk or back of a pickup truck.

☑ Protect your detector from dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures

during storage.

☑ When shipping, use the original factory carton or similar heavy-duty

container, and provide a minimum one inch of padding around all

parts.

☑ Treat your detector as you would any sensitive electronic instrument.

Though ruggedly constructed and designed to withstand the demands

of normal treasure hunting, proper care is essential.

INTRODUCTION ................................................ 4

GENERAL DESCRIPTION ...................................5

GETTING STARTED

UNPACKING THE BOX .......................................6

INSTALLING THE BATTERY ...............................7

ASSEMBLING YOUR DETECTOR........................8

ADJUSTING THE POLE & SEARCHCOIL..........10

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

CONTROLS.......................................................11

SENSITIVITY Control ..............................................................11

DISC LEVEL Control...............................................................12

THRESHOLD LEVEL Control.................................................12

QuickCheck PINPOINT Push-button.....................................13

Controlling Audio Volume......................................................13

TUNING YOUR DETECTOR...............................13

Selecting the proper operating mode...................................14

Setting the Sensitivity Level..................................................14

Setting the Sensitivity Level in MAX Boost .........................15

Setting the Discrimination Level...........................................15

Chart - Discrimination Level Settings...................................15

Setting the Threshold Level ..................................................16

Performing the Audio Battery Test .......................................16

FIELD USE ........................................................17

Handling Your Detector..........................................................17

Planting a Test Garden...........................................................18

CONTENTS

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

GENERAL INFORMATION

Recognizing false signals in Discriminate Mode................18

Pinpointing a Target......................................................19

Recovery ........................................................................19

Specifications................................................................20

Recommended Recovery Methods .............................21

GENERAL INFORMATION

CARE AND USE ................................................22

Basic Care......................................................................22

Protecting Your Investment..........................................22

RAPIER FEATURES .........................................24

INDEX OF COMMON QUESTIONS ....................25

WARRANTY SERVICE ............................Back Cover

The INDEX OF COMMON QUESTIONS on page

25 is a quick reference that guides you to the

page containing the answers to some of the

more common questions new metal detector

owners have.

Basic Care

The Rapier is a sturdy instrument, but it is not designed to

withstand abuse. In caring for your Rapier, there are several important

“DO NOTs” to remember. DO NOT use it to pry rocks loose or to beat

bushes out of the way. DO NOT drop the machine into water. DO

NOT use it unprotected in the rain. DO NOT leave it exposed at night

where dew could form on it. DO NOT store it in places that could be

extremely hot (next to a woodstove, in an attic). DO NOT leave it in

the truck of a car or in the back of a hatchback style car where high

temperatures could build up. DO NOT store it with the battery in-

stalled as batteries may leak. DO NOT spray lubricants such as WD-

40, or any type of cleaner, solvents, sealants or other chemicals into or

onto the electrical parts, switches or controls. And finally, DO NOT

attempt to modify or repair the detector’s electronics as this will void

your detector’s warranty.

THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DAMAGE

RESULTING FROM AN ACCIDENT, NEGLECT OR ABUSE.

Protecting your investment

Often detectorists are disappointed when their new detector

slowly becomes less and less responsive and seems to have lost some

of its original peak performance. You can help avoid this from hap-

pening to your detector by following these basic care and protection

guidelines.

☑ Operate your detector exactly as recommended in this OPERATROR

INSTRUCTION MANUAL.

☑ Use only high-quality alkaline batteries of the correct voltage. Never

substitute a different voltage. When using a Ni-Cad battery always use

a separate convertible pack with the proper voltage output for the

detector’s design.

☑ Remove the battery from the detector after each use. This will prevent

damage to the detector if the battery leaks.

☑ The searchcoil cable is hard wired to the searcoil and protected by a

GENERAL INFORMATION

CARE AND USE

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CONTENTS

To be successful in treasure hunting with a detector you must:

♦ Use a high-performance metal detector designed for

the type of treasure hunting you will be doing.

♦ Learn how to use your metal detector properly.

♦ Search where there is buried treasure to be found.

♦ Be persistent.

The Rapier was designed for coin hunting, competition hunt-

ing and all-purpose use. This multifunction detector is very powerful,

yet very easy to use.

This OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL is designed to

help you learn to operate the detector properly for maximum perform-

ance in various search conditions. Complete instructions on how to

operate the Rapier are found in the two main sections: GETTING

STARTED and OPERATING TECHNIQUES.

If you are new to metal detecting, we highly recommend read-

ing and following the entire GETTING STARTED section to develop

the “feel” of your detector. Then, study and practice the OPERATING

TECHNIQUES.

If you are an experienced detectorist and are familiar with the

concepts of metal detecting, you may want to go directly to the OP-

ERATING TECHNIQUES section. Whatever your prior detecting ex-

perience is, the more skilled you become at operating this detector, the

more rewarding your results will be.

If you are new to treasure hunting with metal detectors, keep

in mind that if there are no valuable metal objects buried where you

are searching, it won’t matter how good your metal detector is or how

skilled and persistent you are. To learn more about where to search for

valuable buried metals, check with your detector dealer or bookseller

for magazines and books on treasure hunting.

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

INTRODUCTION

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2D

“PLUGGING”

Used only where allowed in natural wooded areas and very moist lawn areas.

Plugging in hard dry ground can damage grass roots, leaving yellow “dead spots” in

time.

After pinpointing target, cut three sides of a four-inch cube around target cen-

ter using a six-inch sturdy hunting knife (Fig. 2A). Cutting a “hinged” cube rather

than a cone shaped plug will properly orient its return, prevent removal by a lawn-

mower, and lessen the chance of scratching the target. With the knife blade, carefully

pry against the cube side opposite the “hinge” (uncut side) and fold back (Fig. 2B).

Scan searchcoil over plug and hole to isolate target location. If target is in plug, care-

fully probe until located. If target is in hole and not visible, probe bottom and sides

until located and remove (Fig. 2C). Repeat scan for additional targets. Replace all

loose dirt with plug. Seat plug firmly with foot (Fig. 2D).

Figure 2C

RECOMMENDED RECOVERY METHOD

Adapted from “Tools ‘N Techniques” By Robert H. Sickler

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

The Rapier is one of the first of its kind: an ultra-lightweight,

compact detector that packs the power and performance of a full-

sized, heavier detector. By simplifying features and complicated ad-

justments that cause a loss of performance when used improperly,

Laser has created an easy to operate, grab-and-go detector that’s per-

fect for hobby, sport and travel.

The Rapier is a Transmitter-Receiver (TR) type detector that

operates in the Very Low Frequency (VLF) portion of the Radio Fre-

quency (RF) spectrum. The detector uses only three control knobs and

push-button to provide full VLF capabilities.

The performance of the Rapier will satisfy the requirements of

the serious detectorist, whether experienced or a beginner. The Rapier

uses the latest Surface Mount Technology and Laser’s proven cir-

cuitry to create one of the most unique Printed Circuit Boards in the

industry. This circuit board helps provide greater depth and more sen-

sitivity to small, less conductive metal objects or “targets” such as

fine gold jewelry.

The Rapier has features that make its power easy to use. The

factory preset ground rejection circuitry allows “turn-on-and-go” op-

eration in virtually any ground mineralization * The Discriminate

Mode is Silent Search, meaning the searchcoil must be moving to de-

tect a target. The QuickChick Pinpointing makes it simple to identify

the exact location of the target.

The electronic miniaturization of Surface Mount Technology

permits the complex powerful circuitry of the Rapier detector to fit

into a very small space. The result is a detector that is so incredibly

light there is no need to body mount the control housing. This exclu-

sive design features adds to the Rapier’s ease of use and makes those

longer searches more enjoyable.

The Rapier comes with an 9”x8” round concentric searchcoil

for best all-around performance with good depth. A variety of optional

Rapier searchcoils are also available and will enhance the detector’s

performance under various conditions.

*Operation may be more difficult in black sand or certain other extreme ground conditions.

soil/sand with a small/medium trowel, taking care to reinstate the dis-

turbed ground after recovery. However, it is especially important when

working on an amenity or cut grass sites to remove your targets and to

restore the areas around your finds without leaving a mess. Use a

straight-edged trowel to cut a neat plug with three or four edges ap-

proximately 200mm long. Cut the plug with sloping sides to help its

keying when you replace it. Lift out the plug, invert it and place it on a

piece of cloth. Remove the find from the hole, then loosen up the soil

in the bottom of the hole. Align the plug correctly when refitting it,

then re-firm the ground with your foot. Score the surface of the plug

so that the cut edges will quickly knit together again. Any soil remain-

ing on the surface should be brushed into the grass with your gloved

hand. Place any scrap metal or sharp objects in your junk bag for safe

disposal later

Operating Frequency ..............................10 kHz

Searchcoil Type.......................................Concentric, “spoked”

Searchcoil Size .......................................9”x8” Oval

Cable Length...........................................Approx. 3’

Audio Frequency .....................................Approx. 630 Hz

Audio Output ..........................................1-1/2” speaker and headphone jack

Headphone Compatibility ........................¼ “ stereo plug

Weight (may vary slightly) .......................2.2 lbs.

Battery Requirement ...............................One 9 volt DC (alkaline)

Battery Life (typical) ................................10 to 20 hours

Optimum Temperature Range .................30° to 100° F

Optimum Humidity...................................0 to 75% R.H.

Operating Modes.....................................QuickCheck Pinpoint

................................................................Silent Search Discriminate

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

rings are rejected when the DISC LEVEL is set to reject pull tabs on

any metal detector that is a TR Discriminator like the Rapier. If you

don’t dig any junk at all, you are surely passing up a lot of good finds

as well. Set the DISC LEVEL only high enough to suit the conditions

where you are searching. If there is any doubt whether a target is good

or not, dig it.

Pinpointing a target

Pinpointing a target in Discriminate Mode is probably best

done by “X-ing” as well. Remember that the detector will beep just as

the target passes under the center of searchcoil Slowing the sweep

speed down will help you pick out the center of the X because the tar-

get response is reduced at very slow speeds making it easier to corre-

late the sound with the coil center.

Another easy method is to sweep the coil from side to side

across the target in very short sweeps as you slowly move forward

and backward across the target. Slow down the sweep rate and shorten

the sweeps until you just barely get a response at one spot. The target

will be directly below the coil center at this response time.

Another method of pinpointing in Discriminate Mode is to

quickly change to Pinpoint Mode to check the target response. Re-

member that Pinpoint Mode is not susceptible to the false signals of

Discriminate Mode and can sometimes give a clearer and more con-

sistent response to difficult targets such as a dime buried next to a pull

tab. By switching back and forth between modes and comparing the

target response sound in Pinpoint to the target response sound in Dis-

criminate, you can often better identify the likely location of the tar-

get. The QuickCheck PINPOINT Push-button allows you to do this

easily and without looking away from the ground at your controls.

Finally, raising the searchcoil during pinpointing can also help

by narrowing the response to the target. Practice pinpointing often,

and you will soon become more accurate and faster.

Recovery

Very basically, this means digging up the target. On farm

fields and on beaches this entails extracting the target from the

Your Rapier was shipped with these parts:

1 Upper Pole Assembly

Fully assembled, including upper pole stem with handle grip,

padded arm bracket and control housing.

1 Middle Pole Assembly With Pole Lock

1 Lower Pole Assemby

Fully assembled with nylon pole tip complete with two friction

washers, wingbolt, and thumb nut.

1 9”x8”round concentric searchcoil with 3’ cable

1 9-volt alkaline battery

1 Operator Instruction Manual

If any of these items are missing, contact the Laser Authorized

Dealer where you purchased your detector immediately.

Assembly of the Rapier is simple and requires no special tools.

Just install the battery, mount the searchcoil on the lower pole assem-

bly, connect the two pole assemblies together, wrap the excess cable

around the pole and plug the cable into the control housing. Finally,

adjust the pole length and searchcoil angle and you’re ready!

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

GETTING STARTED

UNPACKING THE BOX

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

Your Rapier is equipped with an automatic battery test circuit

so that you can always be sure you are getting top performance. The

battery should be checked after the detector has been on for about 10

minutes, and then periodically when used for long durations. For

more detailed information turn to Performing the Audio Battery Test

on page 16.

To install or replace the battery, first make sure the SENSI-

TIVITY control is set to POWER OFF-turned completely counter-

clockwise past the “click”. Remove the battery door from the back of

the control housing. Do this by pressing your thumb firmly on the lou-

vered square-at the bottom of the battery door-and sliding the battery

door upward (in the direction of the arrow) while pushing.

Check the polarity on the battery and on the diagram inside the

battery compartement. Make sure that they match and simply drop a

fresh 9-volt alkaline battery into the compartment.

against this). Sweep the coil as close to the ground as possible without

touching. Hitting the ground or rocks may cause a false signal much

like a desired target would. Sweeping the coil too high above the

ground results in a loss of depth.

Planting a Test Garden

To learn better how your detector will perform in the field, it

would be helpful to bury some coins and trash metal junk items in an

area that you know is clear of other metal objects. Check the area with

Disc set at zero to be sure it’s clear of trash, then bury the targets at

least 1 foot apart, and from 2 to 4 inches deep to start. Make a map of

the area to be sure you know what each target is and how deep it is.

Practice on these targets to familiarize yourself with your detector’s

target response. This will also help you learn the proper sweep speed

for best operation. This type of practice area is often called a “test gar-

den” or “test bed” and is one of best tools to help you develop your

metal detecting skills.

Recognizing false signals in Discriminate Mode

When operating in the Discriminate Mode, some “false sig-

nals” may be caused by 1) heavy concentrations of trash metal ob-

jects, 2) very large trash metal objects, or 3) electrical interference.

These signals are generally short, choppy sounds and sound different

than “good signals” (good target response sounds).

At the end of your sweep, as you reverse the coil direction, the

detector is most susceptible to trash induced noise. There are two

ways to tell whether these sounds are good deep signals or trash

“noise.” The first is by repeatability. Trash induced noises will not be

regular as you sweep the coil over the suspected target several times,

Whereas a good target response will be repeatable. The second

method is to switch to Pinpoint Mode and check the target response

sound. If the response is weak, it may well be a deep, good target. But

if the response is very strong, it is probably trash. Note that a coin

close to the surface can give a double beep sound, but it is regular and

repeatable. Raising the coil an inch or two will restore the single beep

on surface targets.

When searching in the Discriminate Mode, it is best not use a

higher DISC LEVEL setting than necessary. Nickels and most smaller

GETTING STARTED

INSTALLING THE BATTERY

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

it. The battery should be checked after the detector has been on for

about 10 minutes and then periodically if you are using it for long pe-

riods.

To activate the Audio Battery Test, simply turn the detector off

momentarily and then back on again. If the battery is fresh, the detec-

tor should emit a continuous and loud “beep” sound that lasts for

about 4 or 5 seconds, and then slowly fades into silence. As the bat-

tery ages, this sound is less intense and fades out more quickly. When

you hear only a brief “buzz” or no sound at all, replace the battery

with a fresh one.

If you prefer, a rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) battery

can be substituted for the standard 9 volt alkaline battery. Individual 9

volt size Ni-Cad cells, as well as the chargers for them, are readily avail-

able at most electronic supply stores. They are installed into your de-

tector in the same manner as non-rechargeable batteries. The battery test

sound on a Ni-Cad will be weaker than an alkaline in the beginning,

but will not weaken as much with use.

Handling your detector

The detector should be held in a position that is comfortable

for you as shown in the ADJUSTING THE POLE & SEARCHCOIL

section in a three foot arc, overlapping succeeding strokes well. This

motion is called a “sweep.” The Rapier was designed to get maximum

depth without the frantic pace required of earlier motion detectors, so

go at a pace that is comfortable for you. In fact, trying to hunt too fast

may even cause a loss of depth in heavily mineralized locations.

Regardless of which mode you are using, try to keep your

searchcoil height constant and close to the ground. Most people tend

to raise the coil at the end of the sweep-much like a pendulum-espe-

cially if they are hurrying. Try to avoid this, as any increase in height

from the ground will cause a corresponding loss of depth.

In areas with well-kept lawns, the easiest way to maintain a

constant searchcoil height is to allow the coil to rest on the grass as

you sweep from side to side. In rough and rocky areas, it is best not to

“scrub” the coil on the ground, as the rocks will act like abrasives, and

wear away the coil bottom (an optional coil scuff cover will protect

1) On the lower pole assembly, remove the mounting screw and

thumb nut from the black nylon pole tip.

2) Insert the pole tip between the mounting ears of the searchcoil

and align the holes of the pole tip and washers with those of the

mounting ears.

NOTE: the pole tip should fit very snugly unto the mounting ears; however, it

may be necessary to use the thin friction washers instead.

3) Insert the mounting screw through the holes in the mounting

ears and pole tip-entering from the side opposite the cable connection.

4) Install the thumb nut on the mounting screw and tighten by

hand.

(NOTE: Do not overtighten the thumb nut. It should be snug, but not too difficult to

loosen up.)

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ASSEMBLING YOUR DETECTOR

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

FIELD USE

5) On the upper pole assembly, depress the two spring buttons

and slide the middle pole assembly into the upper pole assembly until

the spring buttons click into the hole-locking the two assemblies into

place. Tighten the pole lock to secure the two assemblies together.

6) Slide lower pole into middle pole until spring buttons click

into the first set of adjustment holes. Turn pole lock to tighten-lock

the assembly into place.

7) Wrap the cable around the pole leaving enough slack near the

searchcoil to permit searchcoil adjustment.

(NOTE: Do not allow the cable to flop loosely over the searchcoil. Since the

detector is sensitive enough to “see” the tiny wires in the cable, a floppy

cable can cause false signals as the searchcoil senses the moving wires.

8) Plug the male cable end into the female connector on the con-

trol housing and tighten the cable thumb nut. You are finished!

(NOTE: You

will want to

adjust the pole

length and the

searchcoil

angle to your

preference.

The DISC LEVEL should be set to your desired “rejection

level” for the particular area you are searching. We recommend start-

ing at a low setting if you are unsure of how much trash is in the area.

Adjust the level higher if you find yourself digging more trash than

you like. Remember that with any metal detector, you will lose target

response to small gold rings and nickels when discrimination is set at

the pull-tab rejection level. So, digging some trash will increase your

number of good finds.

The diagram “DISC LEVEL- Discrimination Level Settings”

shows the settings where many of the common metal objects are ig-

nored by a typical detector. Each detector can vary a little – due to

manufacturing tolerances- so you should experiment with your detec-

tor and become familiar with its rejection levels for these trash metal

objects.

Earlier motion detectors that operated with a continueous

“threshold” sound would give the user a definite indication of trash

metal by either “nulling” completely (no sound made temporarily) or

by generating short, choppy sounds. Since the Rapier’s Discriminate

Mode is Silent Search and operates without threshold sound, there is

no nulling to indicate that the area is extremely trashy. When search-

ing in the discriminate Mode, we recommend that you periodically

switch to Pinpoint Mode and check the area your are searching to get

an idea of how much trash is really there.

Setting the Threshold Level

The Threshold Level must be set so that the sound that you

hear in the pinpoint mode is a low volume, steady hum. To start, press

the PINPOINT push-button and listen for the threshold sound. Adjust

the Threshold Level by turing the THRESHOLD control. To increase

Threshold Level, turn the control clockwise. To decrease, turn the

control counterclockwise. Adjust the control until the low steady hum

is achieved and release the PINPOINT push-button. Once the desired

tone is set, it will not require frequent resetting.

Performing the Audio Battery Test

Your Rapier is equipped with an automatic battery test circuit

so that you can always be sure you are getting top performance from

GETTING STARTED

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Setting the Sensitivity Level in MAXBoost

The MAXBoost feature is a high gain boost over and above

the normal maximum of 10 and is indicated by the red area on the

SENSITIVITY control. Using MAXBoost will cause no harm to your

detector, but in certain conditions, it can result in the annoying chirp-

ing sound that may make if difficult to hear a good target response

sound.

In ideal conditions, MAXBoost can add inches of depth to your

search with no chirping. In difficult conditions, the extra depth will

still be there but heavy chirping may make the feature too difficult to

use. You must determine when and how much of the MAXBoost fea-

ture to use for your search site conditions.

Setting Discrimination Level

The DISC LEVEL control is used to adjust the detector’s re-

sponse to unwanted trash metal when operating in the Discriminate

Mode. At the lowest setting (MIN), the detector will ignore most

small iron objects, but will still respond to light foil, bottle caps, pull-

tabs and most other metal objects. As the Discrimination Level is in-

creased, more of these trash metal objects are ignored and give no

target response sound when inside the searchcoil’s range.

The pole length should be adjusted so that the detector does

not become uncomfortable or tiring after long periods of use. The de-

tector grip should rest in your hand with your arm relaxed, your elbow

straight but not locked, with the pole extending out in front of you at

the approximate angle shown

in the photo.

You should be able to

swing the detector back and

forth in front of - using relaxed

shoulder movement - while

keeping the searchcoil as close

to the ground as possible. This

swinging movement is often

called a “sweep”.

The searchcoil should

not touch the ground during

your sweep. The pole length

should be adjusted to allow

this without having to lift the

detector with your elbow or

shoulder. The searchcoil

should rest about one inch

above the ground while you

are standing erect. The angle

of the searchcoil should allow

the bottom to be parallel to the ground.

The pole length is adjusted by depressing the spring buttons

and extending or shortening the pole until the spring buttons click into

the set of holes that give you the most comfortable pole length.

To adjust the searchcoil angle, simply loosen the searchcoil

thumb nut slightly and move the searchcoil into the desired position.

Tighten the searchcoil thumb nut by hand so that the searchcoil will

hold in place.

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ADJUSTING THE POLE & SEARCHCOIL

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

DISC LEVEL - Discrimination Level Setting

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MOST IRON OBJECTS

TIN FOIL

STEEL BOTTLE CAPS

NICKEL COINS

SMALL GOLD RINGS

PULL TABS

ALUMINUM BEER CANS

COINS

Solid black bars indicate likely audio target responses while white

bars indicate possible audio target responses. No bar indicates

“rejected area” with no audio target responses.

Levels shown are typical

The Rapier has only four controls, all mounted on the front

panel of the housing for fingertip adjustment. How these controls

should be set for peak performance will depend on the type of metal

you are searching for, search site conditions, and so forth. Use the in-

formation in this section and the TUNING YOUR DETECTOR sec-

tion as a basis for setting the controls on your detector. Using your

detector in the field will allow you to learn fine tuning the detector’s

operating controls

SENSITIVITY

ON/OFF-Battery Test – Sensitivity Control

As its name suggests, this is in fact a three-function control: First, it is

used to turn the power on and off. Rotating it clockwise past the an

initial “click” turns the detector on. Rotating it fully counterclock-

wise until it clicks disconnects the batteries from the circuit, turning

the detector off. Secondly it activates an automatic battery test when

Selecting the Proper Operating Mode

The Rapier offers two operating modes, Discriminate Mode

and Pinpoint mode. Both modes are also “mineral free.” This means

the detector’s circuitry has been factory preset to ignore all but the

most extreme ground mineral conditions.

The Discriminate Mode is “Silent Search.” This means that the

detector will make no sound until it encounters a metal target. This

mode requires that the searchcoil be moving slightly for target detec-

tion.

The Pinpoint Mode, however, is “no-motion.” This means the

detector will make a continuous sound until it encounters a metal tar-

get. This mode does not require motion so the searchcoil can be held

still for target detection.

Setting the Sensitivity Level

In lightly to moderately mineralized ground, you can usually

set the SENSITIVITY control as high as 8 to 10 (normal maximum

setting). In the right conditions, you can move the SENSITIVITY

control clockwise as far as possible until the detector just begins to

“chirp” Intermittently. If the chirping is too frequent, simply turn the

control counterclockwise just enough to cause the chirping to subside.

Once set, this control should not require readjusting unless site condi-

tions change.

Occasionally, you may need to reduce the setting to eliminate

“false signals” casued by difficult conditions such as highly mineral-

ized ground on trashy sites or nearby sources of electrical interfer-

ence. These false signals are generally short, choppy sounds that can

be easily distinguished from a good target response sound. Extreme

conditions such as wet salt sand may require you to lower your sensi-

tivity setting into the 2 to 5 range.

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

CONTROLS

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

DISC LEVEL

Discrimination

Level

Control

THRESHOLD

Threshold

Level

Control

SENSITIVITY

Sensitivity

Control

PINPOINT

QuickCheck

Pinpoint

Push-button

detector itself. Although this control is placed on the front panel for

convenience, once it is set to the desired threshold tone, it will not re-

quire frequent resetting.

PINPOINT

QuickCheck Pinpointing Push-button

This push-button control has two functions:

Places the detector in Pinpoint Metal Mode

Adjusts the Threshold sound

When the detector is in the Discriminate Mode, the PIN-

POINT push-button is used to momentarily change the operating

mode for improved pinpointing. Pressing the push-button places the

detector in Pinpoint Mode. The detector remains in Pinpoint as long

as the push-button is held down. Releasing the push-button returns the

detector to Discriminate Mode. Pinpoint push-button must be held to

adjust the threshold.

Controlling Audio Volume

The speaker in the Rapier does not have a volume control. The

volume should be sufficient to accurately hear the target response

sound in most environments. If more or less volume is required in

your particular situation, we recommend using a set of good quality

headphones with a built-in volume control.

Since the most troublesome adjustments of standard detectors

have been automated in the Rapier, Tuning this detector is simply a

matter of:

➊ Setting the Sensitivity level using the SENSITIVITY control.

➋ Setting the Discrimination level using the DISC LEVEL control.

➌ Setting the Threshold level using the THRESHOLD and PINPOINT

control.

the detector is first turned on.

(NOTE: This test should be performed with the Mode switch in the

Discriminate position.)

If the batteries are satisfactory, there will be a loud tone gradu-

ally fading to silence over 3 to 5 seconds. The fresher the batteries, the

louder the tone. When the tone becomes weak and brief, or there is no

sound at all, it is time to replace the batteries. Always fit 9 volt alka-

line batteries. Third, it is used to adjust the detector’s sensitivitiy. The

recommended setting for most conditions is around 9-10 on the scale.

On occasion you may need to reduce this to eliminate false signals

when encountering difficult conditions, i.e., highly mineralized

ground on junk infested sites. Wet salt sand may require you to drop to

between 2-5 sensitivity. Your Rapier incorporates a high gain boost

over and above normal maximum of 10. This is indicated by a red

section on the scale. Entering this setting will cause no harm to the

unit, but may very well cause instability. The boost section will give

increased performance only if conditions are ideal, so we would ad-

vise caution in its use.

DISC LEVEL

Discrimination Level Control

This rotary control has one function:

Adjusts the Discrimination Level

While the detector is in the Discriminate Mode, the DISC

LEVEL control is used to adjust the detector’s Discrimination Level.

Turning the DISC LEVEL knob clockwise increases the detector’s

Discrimination Level and vice versa.

THRESHOLD

Threshold Level Control

This rotary control has one function:

Adjusts the Threshold Control

The THRESHOLD control is used to adjust the audio level of

the detector’s threshold up or down to its desired level. Normal setting

would be a barely audible hum. This is not a volume control for the

LASER RAPIER OPERATOR INSTRUCTION MANUAL

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

TUNING YOUR DETECTOR

Laser Rapier II Operator's Instruction Manual

Brand: Laser

Model: Rapier II

Category: Measuring, testing & control

Type: Operator's Instruction Manual

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Laser Rapier II Operator's Instruction Manual

Laser Rapier II Operator's Instruction Manual

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